Laser Acupuncture Alleviates Symptoms and Improves Quality of Life in Women with Overactive Bladder: A Double-Blind, Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. (25th April 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chang, Yu-Wei; Lo, Tsia-Shu; Chang, Hsin-Ning; Shiao, Yi-Hsien; Yeh, Yuan-Chieh
• Other Names: Rios José L. Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine. Volume 2020(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-04-25
• Subjects: Alternative medicine -- Periodicals; 615.505
• DOI: 10.1155/2020/1705964
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1741-427X

Abstract

Abstract : Objective . The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical efficacy of laser acupuncture for the treatment of women with overactive bladder (OAB) in Taiwan. Methods . A double-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted on female patients with OAB symptoms referred from gynecologists, and subjects were divided into two groups using blocked randomization. LaserPan (RJ-Laser, Germany) was applied to seven selected acupuncture points. The subjects received laser acupuncture 3 times per week for 3 weeks, 9 sessions in total. Basic patient data, Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS), Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ-7), and Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI-6) scores were recorded prior to first treatment and at the end of 3 rd, 6 th, and 9 th treatments. Results . Thirty patients were enrolled, and twenty-seven patients completed all treatments in this study. The OABSS total score of the experimental group decreased significantly by 3.13 (p ≤ 0.001 ), 4.60 (p ≤ 0.001 ), and 3.79 (p ≤ 0.001 ) after 3 rd, 6 th, and 9 th treatments, respectively, compared with that of the control group. The IIQ-7 score declined significantly from baseline by 4.57 (p = 0.003 ) and 3.63 (p = 0.023 ) after 3 rd and 6 th treatments, respectively, compared with that of the control group. Similarly, the UDI-6 score of the experimental group exhibited a significant decrease from baseline by 1.90 (p = 0.042 ) and 2.25 (p = 0.025 ) after 6 th and 9 th interventions, respectively, compared with that of the control group. Conclusions . This study demonstrates that laser acupuncture can alleviate OAB symptoms and improve quality of life. This noninvasive device could be an effective therapy for women with OAB.